by Hayley Olson
Across the nation we are seeing a shortage of educators; teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, teacher’s aids, social workers, counselors, food staff, bus drivers and more.
When school started in September of 2021, there was a major district in Minnesota that started the year with more than 100 openings. The number of openings in districts across the state has continued to fluctuate.
Around the St. Cloud metro area, there are districts and buildings in dire need of staff, who are calling on retired teachers and community members to step in. Sartell-St. Stephen school district has 30 staff vacancies, Sauk Rapids-Rice has 35 staff vacancies, Little Falls has 11 openings and the St. Cloud school district currently has more than 100 staff vacancies. In these vacancies there is a need even at Kennedy Community School where they are seeking a paraprofessional.
Speaking with staff from districts in the area, it’s evident how much of an impact the staffing shortage has on teachers, kids and schools. Staff who are not based in classrooms are being pulled from their jobs to teach in classrooms, sometimes for the entire day.
Due to this, students who need intervention, social work minutes or time with support staff are not getting what they need. One educator from the St. Cloud school district called it chaotic.
“Personally, it’s left me without my support,” she said. “I’m not able to provide all of my students the support and individual attention they need and deserve.”
Staff are also being affected by this change. Teachers are working to support more than just the students in their classrooms, taking on other students and sometimes an entire additional classroom to cover for other teachers. Substitute teachers are in demand but there are never enough. Staff from district 742 stated “the changes and inconsistencies in staffing and schedules is throwing off kids, causing many of them to act out.” Another staff from district 742 stated that there is fear in needing to take a day, as they are not sure if their room will be covered or who will be pulled to help.
In some instances, paraprofessionals are shifted around, leaving some students or classrooms without support. Paraprofessionals are an integral part of educational staff, and more paraprofessionals are needed. They are vital to education, providing necessary services to all students, especially those in special education programming. Paraprofessionals are the key to success for many students.
Education, as an institution and a functioning place of learning, cannot continue without staff in the buildings. Around the country there are states that have changed their requirements for teachers; New Mexico going as far as to call in the National Guard. Some states are now requiring only a high school diploma to be a teacher. The Minnesota Department of Education requires a four-year degree in education, a student teaching program, and passing scores on board certification to be a teacher. In Minnesota, those aiming to be substitute teachers need a four-year degree of any kind.
Educators are bending over backwards to meet the needs of students and families. Educators across the state are stepping into a world outside their normal jobs to ensure students are getting what they need in and out of school. If you have the time, please reach out to your local district, and see how you can support them. If you want to join any of these fabulous teams please reach out to St. Cloud school district’s human resources at isd742.org.
